Ms. Sometimes Mom Spears

Last Friday should have been a sad day for Britney Spears.

Her and her ex-husband, Kevin Federline, have reached a custody agreement in which Kevin will retain sole custody of their two boys.

People.com reports that, “All Britney was seeking was a formalization of her increased visitation that she's obtained over recent weeks, and the additional overnight. She won both of those requests."

Crazy or not, I do not understand how a woman can give up custody of her own children. I am sure it was the best decision for her sons; however I am not convinced it was the best decision for Ms. Spears. In fact, I believe that it was an agreement made to allow Spears to maintain her freedom and ability to be “mommy” at her own discretion.

The no-drama-Hollywood-parties-pink- wig-wearing rarely seen Spears, has led me to believe that Britney was on her way to recovery, that she would continue to prove that she could be a mother, a good mother, once she had a support system reinstated accompanied with professional help. This means she would fight until the death to at a minimum, retain fifty-fifty custody of her two boys. Instead she threw in the towel leaving me to question her selfishness (once again) rather than her insanity.

Even if Spears did not want custody of her children I expected her to fake it. She has a responsibility to make her boys believe that she wanted them, that she fought hard and long, while sane and insane. Even on her worst day, she knew in her heart and crooked mind that she owed her children the love and childhood she never had. Instead, Preston and Jayden will age and learn that their mother abandoned them earlier on.

With Spears’ next album and tour, the desire will return to be in the limelight, to be on top again. She will use the media and it will use her – a most desirable interview, that Barbara Walters will surely snag. Perhaps then, when I hear her side, I will feel empathy. But until then I laugh at the fact that Ms. Spears relinquished custody of her children while her 16 year old sister, Jayme Lynn, raises a child of her own.

Am I being too harsh?

Countdown To The Presidential Election: Getting Educated

On November 4, 2008, we ALL have the power to vote for change, to vote for our future.

Since many young adults do not bother to vote, learn about the candidates nor understand the pressing issues facing and defining the future of our country, I want to help educate you and myself before the next Presidential election.

Every couple of weeks we will hear from young adults with an opinion on who you should vote for and why that candidate is the better of the two. Learn about the issues and importance of your single vote this coming election. Feel confident when you check that box knowing you are a piece of history, an impact on our future.

This week on Talk Of The Town, Matt Smith will be joining us discussing why he is voting for Barack Obama.

Why I'm voting Barack Obama:

• Providing tuition assistance/reimbursement to get young people to serve in the federal government
• His stance on providing additional Veterans Benefits to those who have served, such as health care extension, mental health benefits, and more money towards the GI Bill
• Support for $150 billion dollars to be placed into the hands of businesses to help create new "clean technology" areas in former coal and textile towns and cities
• His commitment to begin a gradual withdrawal of troops from Iraq with the advice of Generals on the ground and confronting the mounting rhetoric coming

Matt Smith. Born under the Jerry Springer Administration and a military dependent – of 20 years as an Air Force brat – his political beliefs are personal and gained from firsthand experience. While growing up, he attended 13 different schools (George Mason University being his last), lived in 8 states and 1 U.S. Territory. In 2000-2001, Matt served as Press Assistant to then-Senator George Allen (R-VA), has worked previously for campaigns such as Scott Klein for Delegate Campaign (VA-44) and as a volunteer for John McCain for President in 2000. Currently, he serves as the Marketing + Communications guy for a local college student staffing company, and is a proud graduate of George Mason University. When he has free time, Matt enjoys golfing, watching soccer, a nice pint of Guinness (or local micro brew), and traveling.

To hear Matt Smith talk about his support for Barack Obama tune in to Talk Of The Town, Wednesday July 2, 2008 at at 7PM - Click here to learn how to listen!